skirmisher

noun

1. a brief fight or encounter between small groups, usually an incident of a battle
2. any slight, unimportant conflict; brush

Origin: ME scarmoch < MFr escharmuche < It scaramuccia < schermire, to fight < Gmc, as in OHG *skirmjan, to protect < skirm, a guard: see screen

intransitive verb

Origin: ME scarmishen